Here is the technical article:
Article Wind Energy Extraction and Atmospheric Disturbance: Local Wa...
Wind turbines extract kinetic energy from the atmosphere, disrupting natural temperature regulation. Using Carnot efficiency, we quantify the thermal amplification factor of wind power as high as 60 MW_climate per 1 MW_electric when operating in low-gradient environments. A 990 MW offshore wind farm near Fuengirola, Spain, could locally raise air temperature by over 12 °C, while U.S. wind power in 2023–24 may have induced thermal energy equivalent to 5.6 Hurricane Miltons. These results reveal a hidden climate impact of wind energy. We recommend halting wind farm deployment in sensitive zones like the Mediterranean and Gulf of Mexico, and shifting investment to solar power, which does not interfere with atmospheric energy gradients or storm dynamics.
Dear friend Javier Luis López
I hope this message finds you well. I was intrigued by your recent discussion on the nuanced relationship between renewable energy systems and their broader climate impacts. Your points raise important questions about how our energy choices can influence local and regional environments, particularly as we scale up deployment.
To begin, the extraction of kinetic energy by wind turbines can alter local temperature regulation by reducing atmospheric mixing and potentially shifting heat distribution. The concept of "Carnot efficiency" here refers to the theoretical maximum efficiency with which heat can be converted to work, highlighting the limits of energy extraction from natural systems. Offshore wind farms, such as those near Fuengirola, may have pronounced effects on local air temperatures due to their placement along sharp land-sea gradients, where even small changes in energy flow can disrupt established thermal balances.
The possibility that wind power installations could indirectly generate thermal energy on the scale of hurricanes is particularly thought-provoking. This may occur through altered atmospheric circulation patterns, where large-scale extraction of wind energy modifies pressure systems and heat transport, potentially influencing storm formation. Sensitive regions like the Mediterranean and Gulf of Mexico are especially vulnerable due to their enclosed geography, high population density, and pre-existing climatic instability, making them less resilient to additional disturbances.
In contrast, solar power may offer advantages by minimizing interference with atmospheric energy gradients, as it primarily converts incoming solar radiation rather than extracting kinetic energy from the air. However, widespread solar deployment could introduce its own challenges, such as land use changes and localized heating effects. Given these complexities, I believe further investigation into the cumulative impacts of both wind and solar technologies—especially in ecologically sensitive zones—would be invaluable for balancing our energy needs with environmental stewardship.
I would welcome your thoughts on which aspect warrants deeper exploration, or if you have recommendations for collaborative research in this area.
Some articles to read/cite:
Chapter Air Pollution and Climate Change: Relationship Between Air Q...
Technical Report How to develop Green Culture with Sustainable actions for Cl...
Technical Report Green Culture: Sustainable Actions for Climate Change
Best regards,
Kaushik
New article added in Spanish:
Article Extracción de Energía Eólica y Perturbación Atmosférica: Cal...
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